Big news for Florida Gators fans! Offensive tackle Caden Jones has re-signed with Florida Victorious, securing his place on the team through the 2026 season. This is a significant move, completing UF's roster retention efforts upfront.
This means the Gators are returning a solid group of nine offensive linemen. Joining Jones are fellow starter Knijeah Harris, along with Roderick Kearney, Bryce Lovett, Fletcher Westphal, Jason Zandamela, Jahari Medlock, TJ Dice, and Daniel Pierre Louis. That's a lot of experience and talent!
Last season, Jones was a key player, appearing in all 12 games. He stepped up as the starting right tackle and made his first career start in the Week 3 SEC opener against LSU. He then started 10 consecutive games, racking up a total of 541 offensive snaps.
His performance was impressive, with standout PFF pass blocking grades: 81.4 against Tennessee, 80.2 against Long Island, and 79.7 against Georgia.
In the 2024 season, Jones played in four games as a reserve offensive tackle, earning a PFF grade of 79.4. He redshirted in 2023, so he's still relatively fresh.
As a highly-rated four-star recruit, Jones was ranked No. 389 nationally in the Rivals Industry rankings. He chose Florida over some big names, including Florida State, LSU, Texas, and Texas A&M.
But here's where it gets interesting: Jones isn't just a talented player; he's also a smart one. He made a name for himself at De La Salle High School in New Orleans, where he helped lead the team to a 10-1 record and a playoff appearance in 2021.
Jones is just one of many players who have signed new deals with Florida Victorious. Others include quarterback Tramell Jones Jr., wide receiver Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson, offensive lineman Knijeah Harris, linebackers Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles, defensive backs Bryce Thornton, Dijon Johnson and Cormani McClain, and EDGE rushers Kamran James and LJ McCray.
What do you think of these roster moves? Do you believe the Gators are building a team that can compete at the highest level? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Is this a good move for the team?
